Theoretical Approaches and Concepts on Corporate Political Power

Abstract

This article discusses some of the most appropriate theories and concepts for the analysis of the political actions of business actors, with the purpose of developing and enriching the theoretical tools that allow us to account for their actions and the way in which they contribute to shape the political power in contemporary society. In the first part, the theoretical perspectives used to analyze this social actor are revised. In the second part, some concepts on the powers of business actors are addressed, especially those of major businessmen who refer to the social positions in which they operate and the very effective powers that emanate therefrom. In the third section, the power mechanism “over people” is analyzed, while in the fourth section tools are put forth for the analysis of the trade associations of businessmen. This contribution resorts to the theories that emerged from the organizational studies and concludes that the use of these tools allows for the elaboration of better political analyses on the business actors and the social aggregates in which they act.